What does it say about “American Idol” that the best contestants on Wednesday’s show were the ones that screwed up the least?

It says that this season is just horrible, of course.

But what it also says is that, except for Scotty McCreedy, not one of these contestants has the chance of becoming a commercially viable recording artist. And McCreedy only has a chance because he sings country.

Not only some of the Top 12 contestants were bad – most were. And not just a little bad, but truly horrible.

And judges Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson continued to try to save their judging careers by pretending the singers not just were good enough, but laughably – no, insanely – claiming they were great.

They weren’t. And the more these judges make fools of the public, the more I’m hating this show.

But perhaps the most disgusting thing about the show may be the pitch it made to sell songs by the contestants, saying Wednesday’s performances can be bought by downloading them, an “all of the profits” – not proceeds, mind you – will go to the American Red Cross’s relief effort in Japan.

That means “American Idol” will still make all of its money, but just the dollars YOU give above their costs will be donated.

The contestants sang songs from the year they were born – old music again in a contest that’s supposed to create contemporary artists. Some of these songs were 27 years old. But at least there were no Beatles.

Anyway, here’s how I ranked the contestants, from best to worst:

1. Scotty McCreedy – Sang Travis Tritt’s “Can I Trust You With My Heart” from 1993. McCreedy has a very limited range, but he sings it well enough. He could be a country artist today with the right producer.

Strangely, the judges were very subdued, though supportive.

2. Thia Megia – Sang Vanessa Williams’ “Colors of the Wind” from 1993. She went off a couple of times, but was head and shoulders above the others.

Again, the judges pretended she didn’t put everybody else to shame. Jackson said her “vocals were OK” but he was “very bored.” At least Tyler said, “You have a beautiful voice.”

3. Stefano Langone – Sang Simply Red’s “If You Don’t Know Me” from 1989. This guy doesn’t impress me, but doesn’t revolt me, either. He was a little weak for such big song, but hit the notes. Just didn’t hit them in a great way.

But Tyler said, “You took that song over the top,” and Lopez said, it was “Perfect for you.”

5. James Durbin – I like this guy, but this was by far his worst week as he sang Bon Jovi’s “I’ll Be There For You” from 1989. For the first time, he was screamy and flat.

Yet all Tyler said was “Don’t get too poppy on me.” And Lopez told him, “You were great.”

6. Lauren Aiaina: -- Sang Melissa Etheridge’s “I’m the Only One” from 1994. Said she had the flu, and was flat and off key.

But Jackson told her, “That was very nice,” and Tyler said she was “the shining star.”

7. Karen Rodriguez – Sang “Love Will Lead You Back” by Taylor Dane from 1989 and was off-key, flat and weak.

“Started a little rough,” Jackson said in one of his few moments of lucidity. “I’m still not like jumping up and down.”

8. Paul McDonald – Sang Elton John’s “I Guess That’s Why They Call it the Blues” from 1984. I finally figured it out. This guy is the drunk who staggers around in front the band at every bar and sings in a squeaky, slurred voice. Only McDonald is creepy on top of it. He’s truly weird and freaks me out.

Yet Lopez told him, “So much soul and so much star quality.” WHAT??

At least Jackson told him, it was “very pitchy,” but softened that by telling him he tried “to make it his own.” So if it’s horrible, that’s OK?

9. Casey Abrams – The blues screamer gets worse and worse each weak as he’s forced to do something besides scream blues. He did Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” from 1991 and started off OK, but was a complete train wreck by the end, screaming instead of singing.

But the judges were worse train wrecks. “Crazy and talented,” Tyler said. Jackson said, “Wasn’t your best performance,” but said he was “fearless” But shouldn’t someone actually fear being horrible?

10. Jacob Lusk – I don’t personally like Lusk’s style, but repeatedly have said he’s probably got the best pure voice in the competition. But he also was a trainwreck on Heart’s “Alone” from 1987. He started weak and flat and went further and further off key. Disastrous and embarrassingly bad.

11. Naima Adedapo – Sang Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do With It” from 1984. Started off key and got worse as she went before ending horribly.

Even Lopez said she was “consistently ptchy.” Now think for a moment how bad she would have had to be. Jakson, after praising her to high heaven last week, said, “When I watched the show back, I thought, ‘This wasn’t great at all.’ ” Meaning he realized what an idiot he is.

12. Haley Reinhard -- Sang Whitney Houston’s “I’m Your Baby Tonight” from 1990 in a weird squeak (wait, it was Paul McDonald’s voice!) and was way off-key to boot. Not just pitchy, but awful.

Reinhard will be the one voted off tonight. Too bad 10 others couldn’t go with her now and spare us the agony.

Current Comments

What is this crap?

American Idol has had the best season ever. Just because all the music industry cares about is making money $ marketing wise doesn't mean we can't enjoy good performances. I think they are all very talented and the best we've ever had.

Also I highly doubt Scotty McCreedy stands a chance at commercial success.

Lastly learn how to spell "week" correctly. You wrote weak.

I don't know how I found this crappy site, but your just a 12 year old with a blog no one cares about. Get a life.

John, SPOT ON. We tuned in last night just to (sort of) watch the trainwreck. It's really horrible this year. Loved Scott McCreedy, with the right handler he will be a big country star. Although I have to say I kind of enjoyed Hailey's performance - but then again, embarassingly enough, I'm a sucker for that song! Keep up the great running commentary, this show has jumped the shark.